Leaders Unite to Address Punjab's Flood Crisis

In a concerted effort to address the aftermath of devastating floods, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, joined by former Union Minister Preneet Kaur, traversed the flood-stricken constituencies of Samana and Sanaur on Tuesday. Their mission was to assess the damage and extend empathy to the displaced families.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reported that the leaders toured several severely affected villages, including Dudhan Gujran and Dharamheri, where flooding from the Tangri, Markanda, and Ghaggar rivers caused extensive damage. The visit aimed to lay the groundwork for compensation and long-term preventive measures.

Local farmers put forth demands for river desilting, permanent embankments, and urgent road repairs to restore connectivity, especially on the vital Patiala-Pehowa road. Minister Khadse assured that he would escalate these issues to the Prime Minister's Office and other relevant agencies to ensure expedited resolutions.

Recalling similar catastrophes in 2023, Preneet Kaur emphasized inter-state cooperation involving Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for a sustainable solution. Both leaders thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and expressed confidence in the government's commitment to flood resilience.

The visit concluded in Dharamheri, where tensions eased as protesting farmers agreed to cease demonstrations following the leaders' pledges. Their presence, supported by local officials, underscored a unified approach to overcoming the challenges posed by the floods.

(With inputs from agencies.)